To help guide those working with children and young people, The FA provides courses in safeguarding children. Sometimes these are required as part of a qualification e.g. for coaches and referees, however there are courses suitable for everyone, whatever their role.

All FA safeguarding courses are football focused and child-centred; they are relevant, engaging and designed to help learners act appropriately and with confidence.

Over 350,000 people have now attended our courses - that’s a lot of people who are more aware and helping to make football fun and safe.

Online Safeguarding Children Re-certification

The FA recommends that everyone working with under 18s obtains a fresh Safeguarding Children every three years. FA Licensed Coaches Club members and coaches working in under 18s teams in Charter Standard clubs are required to do this.

Re-certification can be done by completing the new, free online course which can be taken in the learner’s own time, at their own pace or by re-attending a safeguarding children workshop.

Launched in autumn 2016 the new online course is available to anyone who has an existing Safeguarding Children Workshop qualification or re-certification that is over two years old.

It includes material on safer practice with under 18s, safer use of social media, safeguarding disabled children, listening to children, recognising and responding to poor practice and abuse and how and when to report safeguarding concerns.

To take this course download the PDF and follow the guidance.

Safeguarding Children Recertification Guidance

To gain a new certificate via a safeguarding children workshop or to arrange one for your club visit your County FA website.